DFB5.0
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
This is a subject that comes up from time to time, so I thought this would be a good thing to have in an easy-to-read step by step progression guide.
The guide can be read a few different ways. Perhaps you are buying your first polisher and are wondering what to get first. Or maybe you already have a machine and are wanting to upgrade to something newer/better. Or you could be looking to add to your collection. Whichever, this list is in order of what your need first and works its way down to the “nice to have” level. Simply pick up where you are at on the list.
At this point, I will point out that I’m sticking to Dual Action / DA / Orbital polish machines for this list. Frankly, rotary is probably best left to the pros or those who have extensive polishing experience. For beginners, a DA machine is very safe and forgiving to use, without compromising the ability to improve or perfect paint.
I will also provide a couple of good options in each category, catering to different budgets. The links provided are for the machine only, but a lot of these are available in kit form as well, often bundled with pads and polishing compounds. (Note, these links are to paint a picture, obviously it will be up to you to seek out the best place to source them from depending on where you are in the world.)
I would also consider what you want to power your line-up, as in staying electric or investing in a battery system. For regular and extended use, electric is still the go. For smaller machines and those who don't polish cars for a living, battery power is viable and easier to use.
Note – The inch size of these machines is in reference to backing plate and not the pad size. For example, a 5-inch machine will use a 5.5 or 6.0 inch pad. A 6-inch machine will use a 6.5 or 7.0 inch pad.
1st – 5-inch Dual Action Machine
This is the best balance of size and ease of use. A 6-inch machine will cover a larger area, but if you are just starting out, a 5-inch machine is big enough to be efficient and small enough to get to almost every surface on the car. I actually went down from a 6 to 5-inch machine and love it. If you stop at this step, then all you need to do is finish off the smaller areas by hand.
Rupes LHR15 MK III –
This is a machine you will buy and have for a long time………… a Buy Once, Cry Once type of deal. The benchmark electric polisher. You can also still get the older ES version for less coin.
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/r...her-deluxe-kit
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...21614506704985
Shine Mate EB351-5/15 –
This is a battery powered unit that offers superb ability without having to manage a cord. I have this machine and really enjoy using it, battery life is not a problem when cycling between at least two batteries.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32271055945817
Shine Mate EB610 or EX620 Pro –
These are good starter electric polishers in a similar style to the Rupes.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...nt=18306887236
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32348942893145
Griots G15 or Adams 15mm LT -
These are good options for those in the US.
G15 Long-Throw Orbital Polisher - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)
Adam's Swirl Killer 15mm Long Throw Orbital Polisher | Machine Polishing - Adam's Polishes (adamspolishes.com)
Wildcard -
Both the Shine Mate EX-605 and Rupes Duetto are physically smaller 5-inch machines which may be more approachable for beginners. I would say consider it but look at the above machines first as they will offer more power.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...nt=18306982084
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8956501688409
2nd – 3-inch Dual Action Machine
A 3-inch polisher is going to be what does most of what’s left after using a larger machine. The smaller pad size allows users to do tighter or smaller areas, say a rear spoiler, boot lid panel or even glass. Again, choice of electric or battery.
Rupes LHR75 –
Another benchmark, often the go-to for professionals.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8954528170073
Shine Mate EX603 –
Another copy of a Rupes machine, but if you are not a pro, it will be more than up to the task.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...nt=18307838724
Shine Mate EB351 3/12 –
This is the 3 inch version of the battery Shine Mate listed in the previous category and uses the same battery system. I find I grab this machine more than I thought, its also good for restoring headlights.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32271117582425
Griots G13 or Adams 12mm LT -
Again, good options for those in the US. The Griots can also be converted to a 2-inch backing plate.
G13 Mini Long-Throw Orbital Polisher (griotsgarage.com)
Adam's Polishes Swirl Killer MINI 12mm Long Throw Machine Polisher (adamspolishes.com)
3rd – Micro Machine
At this point, you are getting into the luxury level of polishing, as in machines that are just nice to have. The 1 and 2-inch machines are going to cater to the tight spots that would be mostly done by hand. Think door sills, around badges, intricate wheels or even interior trim polishing.
Rupes iBrid Nano Long Neck –
A very highly regarded mini polisher, impressing with it’s versatility and smoothness. This can be used in rotary mode, 3mm orbit D/A or 12mm orbit D/A. The only thing the counts against this machine is the price.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8940839895129
Maxshine Mini Polisher –
This is another take on the Rupes iBrid Nano, just at a much more affordable price point. Can be used in rotary or dual action modes.
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...dless-polisher
Maxshine M0312 Mini Cordless Polisher — MaxShine (maxshineusa.com)
Adams SK Pro Micro -
For those in the US.
Adam's SK Pro Micro Cordless Swirl Killer Polisher 2.0 - Adam's Polishes (adamspolishes.com)
Wildcard -
The Flex PXE 80 is an interesting one as it can either operate as a mini polisher or be converted into a 3-inch machine. In some ways, this combines two machines into one. Having said that, it’s compromised, being a touch large for a 1 and 2-inch machine, a touch underdone as a 3-inch. Worth considering though.
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...-ec-2-5-bundle
4th – 6-inch Dual Action Machine
I would probably only add this to your arsenal if you have cars with larger panels, say the big roof and bonnet on a Falcon sedan, or larger pickup trucks.
Rupes LHR21 MK III –
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...21614495137881
Shine Mate EX620 Pro 21 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32347840610393
Shine Mate EB351 6/21 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32271049621593
Adams 21mm LT -
Adam's Swirl Killer 21mm Long Throw Orbital Polisher | Machine Polishing - Adam's Polishes (adamspolishes.com)
5th – This one is very, very specific and a true luxury that is probably unnecessary……….even I’m not at this level. This machine is the Short Neck version of the Rupes iBrid Nano. The Short Neck has some very specific use cases and is able to be more easily used with one hand. Again, unnecessarily extravagant.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8940839927897
Obviously, there are other options to consider, including rotary, pneumatic and forced rotation dual action machines. But largely, the first and second steps will get you 98% of the way, the last 2% would be covered by hand or with a micro machine. Happy shopping!
The guide can be read a few different ways. Perhaps you are buying your first polisher and are wondering what to get first. Or maybe you already have a machine and are wanting to upgrade to something newer/better. Or you could be looking to add to your collection. Whichever, this list is in order of what your need first and works its way down to the “nice to have” level. Simply pick up where you are at on the list.
At this point, I will point out that I’m sticking to Dual Action / DA / Orbital polish machines for this list. Frankly, rotary is probably best left to the pros or those who have extensive polishing experience. For beginners, a DA machine is very safe and forgiving to use, without compromising the ability to improve or perfect paint.
I will also provide a couple of good options in each category, catering to different budgets. The links provided are for the machine only, but a lot of these are available in kit form as well, often bundled with pads and polishing compounds. (Note, these links are to paint a picture, obviously it will be up to you to seek out the best place to source them from depending on where you are in the world.)
I would also consider what you want to power your line-up, as in staying electric or investing in a battery system. For regular and extended use, electric is still the go. For smaller machines and those who don't polish cars for a living, battery power is viable and easier to use.
Note – The inch size of these machines is in reference to backing plate and not the pad size. For example, a 5-inch machine will use a 5.5 or 6.0 inch pad. A 6-inch machine will use a 6.5 or 7.0 inch pad.
1st – 5-inch Dual Action Machine
This is the best balance of size and ease of use. A 6-inch machine will cover a larger area, but if you are just starting out, a 5-inch machine is big enough to be efficient and small enough to get to almost every surface on the car. I actually went down from a 6 to 5-inch machine and love it. If you stop at this step, then all you need to do is finish off the smaller areas by hand.
Rupes LHR15 MK III –
This is a machine you will buy and have for a long time………… a Buy Once, Cry Once type of deal. The benchmark electric polisher. You can also still get the older ES version for less coin.
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/r...her-deluxe-kit
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...21614506704985
Shine Mate EB351-5/15 –
This is a battery powered unit that offers superb ability without having to manage a cord. I have this machine and really enjoy using it, battery life is not a problem when cycling between at least two batteries.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32271055945817
Shine Mate EB610 or EX620 Pro –
These are good starter electric polishers in a similar style to the Rupes.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...nt=18306887236
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32348942893145
Griots G15 or Adams 15mm LT -
These are good options for those in the US.
G15 Long-Throw Orbital Polisher - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)
Adam's Swirl Killer 15mm Long Throw Orbital Polisher | Machine Polishing - Adam's Polishes (adamspolishes.com)
Wildcard -
Both the Shine Mate EX-605 and Rupes Duetto are physically smaller 5-inch machines which may be more approachable for beginners. I would say consider it but look at the above machines first as they will offer more power.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...nt=18306982084
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8956501688409
2nd – 3-inch Dual Action Machine
A 3-inch polisher is going to be what does most of what’s left after using a larger machine. The smaller pad size allows users to do tighter or smaller areas, say a rear spoiler, boot lid panel or even glass. Again, choice of electric or battery.
Rupes LHR75 –
Another benchmark, often the go-to for professionals.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8954528170073
Shine Mate EX603 –
Another copy of a Rupes machine, but if you are not a pro, it will be more than up to the task.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...nt=18307838724
Shine Mate EB351 3/12 –
This is the 3 inch version of the battery Shine Mate listed in the previous category and uses the same battery system. I find I grab this machine more than I thought, its also good for restoring headlights.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32271117582425
Griots G13 or Adams 12mm LT -
Again, good options for those in the US. The Griots can also be converted to a 2-inch backing plate.
G13 Mini Long-Throw Orbital Polisher (griotsgarage.com)
Adam's Polishes Swirl Killer MINI 12mm Long Throw Machine Polisher (adamspolishes.com)
3rd – Micro Machine
At this point, you are getting into the luxury level of polishing, as in machines that are just nice to have. The 1 and 2-inch machines are going to cater to the tight spots that would be mostly done by hand. Think door sills, around badges, intricate wheels or even interior trim polishing.
Rupes iBrid Nano Long Neck –
A very highly regarded mini polisher, impressing with it’s versatility and smoothness. This can be used in rotary mode, 3mm orbit D/A or 12mm orbit D/A. The only thing the counts against this machine is the price.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8940839895129
Maxshine Mini Polisher –
This is another take on the Rupes iBrid Nano, just at a much more affordable price point. Can be used in rotary or dual action modes.
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...dless-polisher
Maxshine M0312 Mini Cordless Polisher — MaxShine (maxshineusa.com)
Adams SK Pro Micro -
For those in the US.
Adam's SK Pro Micro Cordless Swirl Killer Polisher 2.0 - Adam's Polishes (adamspolishes.com)
Wildcard -
The Flex PXE 80 is an interesting one as it can either operate as a mini polisher or be converted into a 3-inch machine. In some ways, this combines two machines into one. Having said that, it’s compromised, being a touch large for a 1 and 2-inch machine, a touch underdone as a 3-inch. Worth considering though.
https://detailingshed.com.au/product...-ec-2-5-bundle
4th – 6-inch Dual Action Machine
I would probably only add this to your arsenal if you have cars with larger panels, say the big roof and bonnet on a Falcon sedan, or larger pickup trucks.
Rupes LHR21 MK III –
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...21614495137881
Shine Mate EX620 Pro 21 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32347840610393
Shine Mate EB351 6/21 -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...32271049621593
Adams 21mm LT -
Adam's Swirl Killer 21mm Long Throw Orbital Polisher | Machine Polishing - Adam's Polishes (adamspolishes.com)
5th – This one is very, very specific and a true luxury that is probably unnecessary……….even I’m not at this level. This machine is the Short Neck version of the Rupes iBrid Nano. The Short Neck has some very specific use cases and is able to be more easily used with one hand. Again, unnecessarily extravagant.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...=8940839927897
Obviously, there are other options to consider, including rotary, pneumatic and forced rotation dual action machines. But largely, the first and second steps will get you 98% of the way, the last 2% would be covered by hand or with a micro machine. Happy shopping!
Sponsored